Since Barmageddon is filming at Ole Red was it your idea? Well, this is a show about games and drinking, and it was definitely cocktail inspired! Carson and I came up with the initial idea backstage at The Voice after we finished taping one evening. One drink led to another and talk about playing games, and Barmageddon was born. Or at least conceived! Who will be some of your celebrity guests? Let’s just start with my superstar wife, Gwen [Stefani], playing against Sheryl Crow. My buddies and racecar champs Clint Bowyer and Jimmie Johnson face-off in an episode. We have singers Chris Young—who’s had huge hits in country music, and we toured together—taking on singer Elle King in a hilarious episode. Trace Adkins, who’s like a skin tag, I just can’t get rid of him, takes on Tennessee Titans Coach Mike Vrabel. We’ve got Lil Rel and Malin Akerman from the acting world in an episode together, so it’s really a fun mix of people from all realms. What kinds of games will you be playing? We took games that everyone knows like Corn Hole and Curling, amped them up and now you have supersized Air Cannon Cornhole, Drunken Axe Hole and my own version of Darts which is called “Sharts.” We also have Curling, which we amped up to be Keg Curling—so yes, there’s some actual drinking involved! Carson is behind the bar. How good of a bartender is he? Carson is many things. A great friend, creative, hardworking, a talented host, but he’s a terrible bartender! It shouldn’t be that hard to mix a cocktail! Thankfully most of the drinks are simple or it’s just re-filling a beer. Otherwise, we would be in big trouble. You will be taking the stage with the house band. How much music will there be on each episode? Will it be solely your hits? The music is a mix of songs with me and the house band, and some surprise performances, too. Nikki Bella is a new addition to your circle. What does her presence add to the camaraderie as the host? Nikki has been entertaining people for decades! She’s dominated the world of wrestling with WWE, so she knows how to light up an audience and host a party. Barmagaddeon is all about having a good time and Nikki fits right in! It was sad to hear you are wrapping up after season 23 of The Voice. Any chance that you might take a few seasons off and then make a return? You do have a record to uphold! The Voice changed my life for the better and it’s been successful beyond my wildest dreams. The Lives for this season have already started and I’m looking forward to season 23 in the Spring! How do you plan to spend the time you will have when you stop coaching The Voice? Oh, there’s lots to do! Barmageddon, tour, work on the farm—I’ll be busy. You and Gwen have done great collaborating on music so far. Any plans for more duets? Music is one of the foundations of our relationship and we’ve had fun and been fortunate enough to have two No. 1 songs together. I’m releasing some new Christmas songs this year and one of them is “Cheer for The Elves,” a song she recorded on her last Christmas album. So, you can bet we’re going to always collaborate on music in some way. It’s just how we’re wired. Loretta Lynn continued to make music until she was 89 years old. Is that your plan as well? Keep on singing? I’m not sure I’m worthy to be mentioned in the same breath as Loretta Lynn, but I’ve been singing since I was a kid and all I ever wanted to do was sing country music and record songs that people wanted to listen to and get played on the radio. Music is in my blood and that’s never going to change.
